AN ANALYSIS OF RACIAL HEGEMONY IN RAP MUSIC CULTURE PORTRAYED IN 8 MILE FILM

Abstract

This research aims to determine the racial hegemony portrayed in the film entitled “8 Mile” (2002) directed by Curtis Hanson. The portrayal of racial hegemony in the film is represented through the rap music culture that is known to be identical with the African-Americans in America. The qualitative research method is used in this study to present the data. Moreover, the ground theory of racial hegemony by Lee Artz (2000) is used in guiding the analysis provided in this research. The results of this research consist of the evidence that the rap music dominated by the African-American is the form of cultural practice that is involved as one of the manifestations of racial hegemony. Another result shows that racial hegemony is addressed through the fact that African-Americans as minority in America still get the lower wage and does not get the higher status in the society as easily as the white Americans. The consent of inequality between the white and black Americans is the cause which is one of the causes why discrimination and hegemony persists to this day.

Key Words: Discrimination, Literary analysis, Racial hegemony, Rap music, 8 Mile